Is your Home Insurance affected by your dog or other pets in the UAE?

Pet ownership continues to climb in the UAE as the country becomes more pet-friendly.

There are home insurance policies available in the UAE that cover against potential damage or injury caused by pets.

Federal Laws issued in 2016 to regulate the ownership of dangerous animals includes several breeds of dogs that should be reviewed by pet owners.

The cost of a home insurance policy is far outweighed by the potential legal and medical expenses that can be incurred by a civil or criminal complaint in the event of an animal bite or attack on a third party.

They say that a dog is a man’s best friend. Whatever pet you share your life with, they are most often a source of joy and amusement and are thought of as part of the family.

When looking for a place to live, you may come across some places that ban pets from the property, this can be particularly true in buildings which are sold on a leasehold basis or where you are renting a home or apartment from a landlord. The reason for this may sometimes be something we rarely stop to consider: insurance.

The UAE continues to become more pet-friendly, with an ample variety of spaces and businesses that cater for pet owners and their furry friends. Thus, it is essential to consider the impact that pet ownership can have on home insurance, and to understand what is and isn’t covered. The most common costs incurred in the home from pet ownership come in the form of damage to your goods and valuable items; this can include clothes, shoes, furniture, and electronics.

It is always important to check the wording of any insurance policy, with Home Insurance policies this is especially important as it will provide you with a definitive answer as to what is covered and what isn’t.

Insurance companies in the UAE differ in the cover they offer and in particular in the exclusions they outline in their policy wording, where a majority of them do not cover any loss, theft or death of pets themselves nor do they cover any loss or damage caused by domestic pets, including birds.

Aqeed’s home insurance comparison service, a 100% independent organization, will help you study your options with a comparison of policies and prices from the leading home insurance companies in the UAE that best suit your needs and budget.

How would owning a pet affect my home insurance in the UAE?

Simply put, it depends on the kind of pet you have, but for the most part in the UAE, it would not significantly affect your insurance premium if at all. Damage caused by your pets, however, would not be covered by most insurers in the country.
In other parts of the world, pet ownership can have a detrimental impact on the premiums paid for home and contents insurance. For example, homeowners insurance becomes quite strict when it comes to dog breed restrictions which can also significantly impact the premium paid.

In the UAE, Federal Law Number 22 of 2016 was issued to regulate the ownership of dangerous animals, as well as certain breeds of dogs. This law is responsible for reducing the risks faced by insurance companies that are generally associated with pet ownership in other countries. As you can see in the table below, dangerous animals, such as scorpions or snakes, are highly regulated if permissible at all.

In Summary, make sure you read the small print

The most important take away for pet owners when it comes to home insurance, is always to read the fine print; policy wordings and exclusions are very important.
For example, a key area to consider is a “dog bite insurance”, in other words, whether you are protected legally and financially in the unlikely event your pet bites or attacks a third party.
When you compare the cost of home insurance to the cost of potential medical treatment, any legal fees or expenses incurred by civil or even criminal claims that could be raised against you in the event an incident such as a dog bite, you really can see why if you obtain the right home insurance, this is one risk that will definitely not keep you up at night!

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Aqeed is on a mission to help you become better at everything related to insurance. The articles are meant to enrich your knowledge about insurance so that you make the right choices. From the decisions you make to the options you take, you are In Sure Hands.

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Aqeed is an insurance technology company that aims to make insurance simple, transparent, and accessible.
We are on a mission to help you become better at everything related to insurance. From the decisions you make to the choices you take, you are InSure Hands.
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